Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 65

Snow to Inspire Your Craft Show Memory Making

IT IS SNOWING!!
Ever so lightly but a touch of white in the air and on the deck -
a GREAT way to add Christmas
​spirit to your shopping today. 

I will be at the New Haven Congregational Church as they partner with the New Town Hall for New Haven's annual Fall Craft Show.

Two stops with one parking of the car, then when you are done, head to Oswego. I know there are a couple there too - maybe someone else can post this information below in a comment. One of my favorite traditions as a child and adult during this time of year was traveling to the craft shows with my Mom. As the release of Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey approached, i traded in my driving and shopping for a table at one of the very locations I visited years prior.

The common factor, Mom was right there with me, making memories. Memories I'll cherish. An observation from a couple decades of craft fair attendance, we are not the only family that enjoys this tradition, and most people travel in packs of laughter, discussion, and merriment. 

I debated not doing craft shows this year. As much as I enjoy visiting with people, meeting my readers and Facebook friends, I was not feeling it. One thing is missing, Mom. Then it dawned on me, thanks to the words of my mother...she might not be here physically but her memory, our memories, and her voice remain.  As I packed my containers last night I found Mom's business cards for her "Burn Baby Burn" plaques. I smiled at the memory of surprising Mom with these cards and then a few tears as I tucked these cards away. 

The friendship, love, and time with my Mom is a part of me and woven into all the moments of my life. As I looked at an old blog one day, Mom's words inspired me to get up and moving. Only God knew her comments here on the blog are a legacy for not only me, but anyone else wondering how much a mother and daughter could care for one another. A blessing to count. 

With this being said, I'm VERY glad I decided to sign up for today's craft show and Christmas in Mexico next month. I've found myself smiling because I know how much Mom enjoyed going and when her health prevented her, she still liked to hear about who we saw and about the different things for sale. I'm thankful for my 'get over it' mentality today, I almost missed a blessing. I hope you can get out and if you do, stop by and introduce yourself, and who knows, maybe pick up a couple books for gifts this year. A great day to start the holiday season and ignite Christmas spirit in the hearts of others.

Before you head out, will you say an extra prayer for those in Paris and the multitude grieving and affected by yesterday's devastation. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, let's lift them in prayer.

“The Lord is close
to the brokenhearted
​and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18

See you today or next month in Christmas in Mexico!

TGFAD...Thank God For Another Day

Two weeks ago I posted a blog to challenge you to say TGFAD. As part of this challenge, our goal was to wake up each morning thanking God for another day and asking Him to use us to be a blessing for someone else. How have the past two weeks been? If you've done this, then you have formed a new habit or reinforced a trained one.

How has starting the day with thanksgiving in your heart changed your daily, weekly, and eternal outlook? Please share in a comment below. Congrats on achieving your goal. If you didn't join us the first time, it's never too late. Start your mind shift right now! God's always listening.
How has a TGFAD approach to life changed your perspective?

TOP's Tuesday: The Weather is Always Changing

​Sunshine is delicious,
rain is refreshing,
wind braces us up,
snow is exhilarating;
there is really
no such thing as bad weather,
​only different kinds of good weather.
John Ruskin If you are from Central New York, you remember the snow storm we were blessed with a couple weekends ago. We are known for crazy weather, for instance the high winds this afternoon and evening have some schools cancelling after school activities. Weather is constantly changing and to live here, one must appreciate the variety.

The weather is like life, we often have a variety of circumstances, people, and opportunities before us. It's up to us to choose what weather we embrace, the ones we avoid, the storms we MUST go through, and the exciting opportunities that stir up much change. 

The greatest weather shift in my life in the past few months is my Mom's cancer diagnosis in August and her passing four short weeks later. The comfort in this storm, my mother doesn't close her eyes each night and wake each day asking the same question, "Where's Heidi?" My mother knows the answer.

​Someone told me, "I'm praying after your mother's reunion with Heidi, they are able to reveal where Heidi is so the rest of the family can have the same peace." I didn't know how to respond, yet to know my Mom has the peace of knowing gives me peace. 

As we adjust to the fast changing weather as different conversations, holidays, and milestone events occur...I choose to remain hopeful and keep a smile on my face as I embrace the next round of weather. Life, like the weather, is always changing and brighter days are right around the corner. How do you keep a smile on your face
​as the weather in your life changes?

Can We Change TGIF to TGFAD?

I look forward to the weekend and miss my kiddos those two days too...but I think we are missing great opportunities when we focus on two days called a "weekend" instead of the seven days of opportunities available.

What if instead of TGIF, we said TGFAD, Thank God For Another day. Isn't this a better way to look at life? What happens when we live each day as if tomorrow was Saturday? How would that change our outlook? Do you think it would make a difference? I think it would. I want to challenge you, and me,  to look at every day as an opportunity to be thankful. Do you think we can rid our vocabulary of TGIF and replace it with TGFAD?

My goal each day, to wake up and thank God for another day here. Another day to make a difference in someone's life and to be the best Lisa I can be. What if you woke up in the morning, thanked God, and asked him to be the best "fill in the blank" you can be?

I challenge you to try it. It takes 14 days to form a habit they say. So for the next 14 days, will you wake up thanking God for another day and looking for opportunities to live every day is a Saturday? Let me know if you accept the challenge and come back again in a couple weeks to let us know how this little attitude shift increased the joy in your life. See you then! ​

TOP's Tuesday: Fun on a Snowy Day

"Sewing:
A creative mess
is better than
tidy idleness."  
~Author Unknown In case you missed the local news in Oswego County, or GMA yesterday...we got some serious snow over the weekend and it was still here yesterday morning as the school day started As we dropped our daughter off to school yesterday, News Channel 9 AND Good Morning America were both filming on the front lawn and sidewalks. Why? you ask...because it snowed. This always amuses me because we are known for oodles of, and early, snow.

The joy and fascination of white falling gracefully from the sky widens youngens' eyes and lifts the spirit of snow lovers. Instead of cutting the last of my hostas, cleaning the flower gardens, or planting mums...I set my sewing machine and ironing board up in my office. 

It was a fabulous and relaxing day of sewing, sewing, and more sewing. I even read half a book in one sitting. Creativity flowed from my finger tips as I watched the snow fall outside my window. It was a great way to spend the weekend. While hubby and daughter worked, I "worked" on creating. It's been awhile since I could say this, so maybe the new norm is kicking in.  If you were in the "higher elevations" this past weekend,
how did you spend your time? Inside or out?
Working or playing? Share in a comment below.

When the Storm Doesn't End...

NOTE: This blog was written to post on September 12, 2015, two days before my Mother's passing. As I went through my draft folder I happened upon it. I'm thankful for each of you and the way God uses others to lift us up and the way He reminds us how how He answers prayer. Evidence that journaling and blogging have benefits ~ we can look back and see how God worked in a situation. So, more than a month later, read on.

I woke up before the sun this morning with thanksgiving in my heart. In the midst of these last moments and days with my Mom, there are many blessings. 
Choosing to focus on the good..."
 ~ My first post to Facebook this morning ~

How does one go from waking encouraged and loved to "vindictive and angry" in a moments notice? I don't know but this girl is the queen - hurt, grieved, and tired...In addition, two hours after my initial post, I didn't reflect God, instead I spewed the hurt I felt through my words, and this hurt others. 

Feelings of gratefulness and seeing the good only hours prior was replaced with the pain  of losing my mom, and my friend. I was a poor reflection of God's love and as the devil has it, he leaped in and went for the juggler, if you will. I deserved the return of yuck and as I work through this all...I think of a verse from Proverbs, "Thoughtless words cut deeply like a thrusting sword, but the speech of the wise is a healing balm." Proverbs 12:18 VOICE 

The words I uttered first, (I admit I was first) cut deeply and the interchange thereafter only worsened. The words I received cut deeply also. I thought about not sharing, but thus far, I've kept it real here on the blog so I'm sharing yet another imperfection of mine. 

I hesitated to share here but what if, someone like you, needs to know it's okay to fall apart? What if I'm not the only one weak and broken? What if you are reading this and tears trickle down your cheek because you remember a moment like this? What if I continue to not blog or share...am I still doing what God called me to do?

Over the past weeks I've let hurts build and fester in my heart. When I did share how something hurt me, I was told there was no reason to be hurt. Again today, the same reminder cut at me. One thing I've learned over the years, if I, or anyone feels hurt...it's our hurt to feel. Whether it be the result of miscommunication, over sensitivity, or exclusion...our feelings are ours and they are real.

I don't deserve your good thoughts or prayers, I'm a vindictive and hypocritical Christian...I've let death, dying, and loss overcome me - I've let many down through my words, thoughts, and actions - I need a do over yet don't deserve it."
~ My Facebook post 2 hours later ~

Do you know what I got in response to this demeaning, depressing, and moment of weakness? Not a single person on Facebook criticized or ridiculed me, instead, I was showered with love, mercy, grace, compassion, empathy, and evidence of God's working in my life.

​I don't deserve any of it, especially after my little pity-party/meltdown BUT this is the coolest part...God is merciful and gracious. None of us deserve His mercy and grace yet He showers us with it every day, we need only open our hearts, eyes, and lives to receive.

Look at the mercy He showered on me during this rainy day, here are some of the comments people left for me as encouragement:"That's the true amazingness of being a Christian- we don't deserve anything and can't do anything on our own, but Christ covers us.""Don't be so hard on yourself.. Being Christian does not mean you need to be perfect. None of us are. Only one who is is Jesus. The rest of us are only human.""Hebrews 4:16 ~ Let us then with *confidence* draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.""Oh, the beauty of the cross & God's grace!! Ps 51:10: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.""Jesus died to save us ALL from such thinking! When we fall short (AS ALL OF US DO) that has NOTHING to do with JESUS' performance of his life, crucifixion and resurrection. ALL of us are hypocritical Christians but ALL of us have been pardoned by the blood of Jesus Christ. I know this is easy for me to say yet it seems impossible to be free from your regrets -- at least it seems impossible for me to release my own regrets. Anyway, HE died for us to be able to live life free from guilt and regrets. I think it's just our emotions that get out of control and depress us. GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD and NEVER CHANGES - but of course YOU know all these things. GOD BLESS YOU!"
​I'm thankful to find
this in my draft folder
this afternoon...
evidence God walks
alongside me and uses those
in my life to minister,
encourage, inspire, and help me.

You are a blessing I count...
Thank you!

TOP's Tuesday: Who Knew It Would Make Sense

“The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.”
― Dwight Lyman Moody

Have you ever heard something that made no sense at the time
but weeks or months later, in hindsight, it's that V8 moment?
​Will you share one? One of my mother's favorite blogs was the TOP's Tuesday blog. It's one of my favorite to write too, so it has always been a good combination. Have you ever realized after a loved one passes, the things you cherished or held most special become the very things that are the hardest to do? Can anyone else relate, or am I alone in this feeling?

TOP's Tuesday is a blog dedicated to Heidi, publication, and my speaking. It's a way to keep you informed of upcoming events and happenings. It tends to be the place where I announce things I've teased you about in previous blogs. Today, I have no big revelations or announcements. BUT I do have hope for a blog like this in the future.

Another promise from my Mom was to "finish the next book". She even gave me the title back in April and I remember looking at her thinking, this is a bizarre title for the type of book I was working on. Since Mom's passing, the title is a perfect fit for the direction this book started to take. God knew. So I guess there is a little tease today, Mom titled the next book. Go Mom!

So that's all for today. Not really anything new but a little tease that there is another book, to follow Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey. It, the book, is just waiting for me to get-r-done. And of course the best part, Mom gave me the title months ago without knowing how perfect it would be today.

Favorite Homecoming Tradition or Memory

I meant to write and post this blog for this past Friday but didn't get-r-done. The weekend came and went without a new blog. It's been twenty-one days since I wrote a blog, I should be ashamed. My mother would be so disappointed.

Over the summer, as her health rapidly failed, and our time was consumed with caring for her needs , I chose to put "first things first". And this was not blogging or sitting at a desk. Mom commented often, "this would be a good blog" at different things and sadly, I didn't jot them down and can't remember what those moments were. I'm sure it was the humor of me as nurse, those who know me, know this isn't my strongest characteristic yet for a parent...it was a skill I tried hard to master. It's time to get back to it, Mom told me to keep blogging, writing, speaking, and to finish the next book...she even gave me the title. An honor to follow through.

Shortly after Mom's diagnosis she made a statement and then asked me something. I listened and was humbled at her selfless love in the midst of her new battle. She said, "I'm sorry this cancer happened now. Promise you won't let the cancer or me stop you and Mary from doing all she would do during her senior year." Of course we told her not to apologize, no one chooses cancer nor do they pick the time of diagnosis...life is not a health insurance commercial after all. Then I promised to "not say no" or "not now" to things Mary wanted to do that make your senior year of high school special and memorable. None of us knew at the time that Mom would pass away four days into the school year. Only God knew that.

As homecoming weekend approached I could hear my mother's words echo in my head. I looked forward to watching the annual Homecoming Parade, to see the spectacular senior float. I smiled to know Mary and her peers are now the seniors at the Powder Puff game. I am honored to know she is part of a class that designed their last homecoming float to mirror their school and future Alma Mater while singing "Be true to your school". A final float leaving a legacy for future classes...tradition.

Due to the torrential rain, the bonfire was cancelled but the parade, dance, and football remained. A little, or a lot in the case of this past weekend, of rain can't put out the fire of school spirit and tradition. I still remember my own homecomings, decades ago. We didn't have a parade but the bonfire and football set the tone for the year. With this in mind, the class of 2016 in Mexico set the bar for future classes...stay true to your school...leave a legacy. I know my daughter's class did. What is, or was, your FAVORITE
part of homecoming weekend and why?

Baby Steps into a New Norm...Happy Monday!

Although Your Gone
© Shannon Walker ~ Published on August 6, 2015

Although you're gone, I'm not alone,
And never shall I be,
For the precious memories of the bond we shared 
Will never depart from me. 

Our love surpassed the ups and downs 
And helped us along the way,
And that same love will give me strength 
To manage this loss each day.

On my mind and in my heart, 
Mom, you shall forever be,
For just as much as I am a part of you, 
You are a part of me!
Seven days equals the first week without my Mom. Our last weeks and days were precious gifts of time. Although the doctors said three to four months, God called her home in just four weeks. My first thought and words, "I'm not ready to live without my mom." and the wisdom from a friend, "No one is ever ready to live without their Mom." Do I think it would have been easier two or three months from now? No, yet I prayed for more time.

I always thought Mom would live to be in her eighties like my Gram and the other matriarchs of this family. Why did God call her home so soon? I don't  know BUT I know she touched so many lives through her positive attitude, courage, strength, and perseverance.  The words written and spoken during her last weeks on earth and in this week following her death are nothing less than inspirational and uplifting. 

In a short sixty-six years, Mom witnessed to so many it's possible to survive and thrive after loss. In honor of my mom, one step and day at a time...I hope to be half the woman she was and live each day leaning on God for the strength, grace, hope, and love necessary to face whatever is next.

A friend asked, "How are you?" 
My response..."Broken."

Thankfully God is near to me, loves me, and will use this brokenness to help others. Trusting Him.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted 
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, 
for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, 
so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Psalm 34:18; 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Are you moving forward "step by step"?
What is one thing that helps you 
to keep in a forward moving step?

My Mom, Susan Allen, Calling Hours and Obituary

http://www.palltimes.com/obituaries/article_d36db02f-78eb-595e-8a5d-b90ef91a20f8.html Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. (family will stay all the way through if necessary) from the Harter Funeral Home, 9 Washington Ave., Mexico, New York.